Retail Sales Representative
Salary

Commissions form a big slice (more than two-fifths) of total compensation for Retail Sales Representatives. The median income in this area hovers around $31K. Total cash compensation to Retail Sales Representatives approaches anywhere from $18K on the lower end to $54K on the higher end; in exceptional cases, this can include more than $10K from bonuses and upwards of $3K from profit sharing. The particular firm is the main element affecting pay for this group — the particular city and experience level are driving factors as well. Health benefits are not claimed by all — close to one-third lack any form of coverage — but the greater part have medical insurance, and more than half have dental, too. Most Retail Sales Representatives report high levels of job satisfaction. Women are just slightly outnumbered, with male Retail Sales Representatives making up 54 percent of survey respondents. The figures in this rundown are based on the results of PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Retail Sales Representative

Retail sales representatives are responsible for helping drive a store's sales of merchandise and services to customers. With the wide variety of retail environments, the specific products and services they represent can differ significantly between retailers, however, many of the tasks are universal for retail sales reps. They are generally expected to have working knowledge of the majority of the products a store sells, even when the representative is assigned to specific locations. Retail sales representatives should have a friendly demeanor, the ability to make customers feel welcome, excellent communication skills, the ability to explain the functions of various products and to direct customers to the locations within the store where they may find the products they're seeking.

Retail sales representatives typically work in a single location and are assigned shifts. Some retailers are open 24 hours, and may assign overnight shifts. Other retailers will have overnight shifts so that their stock rooms can be replenished while the store is closed to customers. Depending on the structure, representatives may work alone or in teams, and may or may not be assigned to specific departments. In most instances, retail sales positions include moderate physical demands, such as standing or walking for the majority of a shift, and the ability to lift heavy objects. Representatives may also be assigned secondary duties such as cash register operation, cleaning, inventory management, maintaining fixtures, loss prevention and stocking merchandise on shelves. Representatives assigned to specific areas may be reassigned to other areas as needed.

There are no formal education requirements for retail sales representative positions. Prospective employers often desire previous retail experience, while it is usually required for specialized departments. However, there are many positions that are entry-level (many high school and college students will work as retail sales reps as their first job). The majority of retail establishments train their reps in-house, either directly by managers or with other hourly employees acting as mentors.

Retail Sales Representative Tasks

Ensure that paperwork such as contracts or warranties are completed properly.

Provide customer service, answering questions and resolving problems.

Sell products and services to customers, explaining and demonstrating their advantages.

Retail Sales Representative Job Listings

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Popular Employer Salaries for Retail Sales Representative

Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Inc., Best Buy, Sprint Nextel Corporation, and Advantage Sales & Marketing, LLC are some prominent firms with considerable interest in employing a large team of Retail Sales Representatives. Kellogg Co offers the highest compensation with a median salary of $49K. Those in search of high salaries should also consider Nestles', Verizon Wireless, and PepsiCo Inc, top-paying firms where Retail Sales Representatives rake in a comfortable $44K, $41K, or $39K, respectively.

Best Buy offers the lowest pay in the field with a median salary of just $22K. There's also little variation in pay at the company, with pay ranging from $18K to $31K. Other low-paying employers include Acosta Sales & Marketing Company, Inc. at $25K and Sprint Nextel Corporation at $28K, though some Retail Sales Representatives there earn up to $38K.

Popular Skills for Retail Sales Representative

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Retail Sales Representatives report using a pretty varied skill set on the job. Most notably, facility with Field Sales, Sales, and Customer Relations are correlated to pay that is significantly above average, leading to increases of 62 percent, 21 percent, and 4 percent, respectively. Skills that are correlated to lower pay, on the other hand, include Oral / Verbal Communication and Customer Service. Most people familiar with Customer Relations also know Merchandising.

Pay by Experience Level for Retail Sales Representative

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Respondents with less than five years' experience take home $28K on average. In contrast, those who have been around for five to 10 years earn a noticeably higher average of $36K. Retail Sales Representatives bring in $35K after working for 10 to 20 years. Seasoned veterans with 20 years under their belts enjoy a median income of $37K.

Retail Sales Representative Reviews

What is it like working as a Retail Sales Representative at T-Mobile, Inc.?

Retail Sales Representative in Pasadena:

"Working For Tmobile USA Inc."

Pros: I do love where you can meet lots of people. You are aware of the growing technology of communications through the cell phone world. You can move up in the company with hard work. It is easier if you build great relationships with store managers and district managers. I love how Tmobile is competitive on the prices of plans and what types of benefits you can have. Lots of features for dirt prices plus be a major network. Great plans for employees and benefits for employees.

Cons: There is a lot of politics just like lots of companies. The world of cell phone plans are getting cheaper and therefore compensation is getting lower and lower. They did take away discounted phones to employees.